Stronger market boosts NW tree growers

Friday, November 22, 2013

Northwest Christmas-tree growers see signs of a resurgent market following a seven-year downturn. This is a big deal for tree farmers in Oregon, the nation’s No. 1 producer of Christmas trees, and Washington, No. 6 on the list. Oversupply helped to weaken the market in recent years, tied to a surge between 2001–2003 that saw growers plant millions of Douglas and noble firs to cash in on strong demand. Instead, trees flooded the market and oversupply sapped prices. By December of last year, prices had dropped 35% from their peak in 2004. What’s this mean to consumers? In the short term, buyers can expect to pay a little more for Christmas trees for the next two years, after which the market could plateau. Read the articlethat appeared in the Medford Mail Tribune.